A Time for Thanks Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will describe the benefits of gratitude.

 

SEL Focus:

social awareness

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, text evidence, writing

 

Page 4 Skill:

bar graph

 

Vocabulary:

gratitude, hobby, aches

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5 use text features; RI.2.8 support author’s points; RI.2.10 read informational texts; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level: 

K

 

Lexile Level: 

470L

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Provide students with some background on gratitude.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Being Thankful." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What are you thankful for?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured terms are gratitude, hobby, and aches.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Ask students how the people on the cover may be feeling.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 3: “Think about something you feel gratitude for.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

  • The “Thankful Search and Find” game builds vocabulary and reminds students of things they can be thankful for.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on social and emotional learning and ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words gratitude, hobby, and aches.

Editor’s Pick: Writing/Social Awareness (15 min.)

  • The I Am Thankful for You! skill sheet provides just the right amount of scaffolding for students as they write a letter to a person they are grateful for.

ELA Focus: Text Evidence/Writing (15 min.)

  • In “A Letter From Norbert Know- It-All,” students receive another message from the mixed-up Norbert. He tries to teach students about gratitude, but he does not know as much as he thinks he does! Students can write their own letters proving him wrong. If you’d like, send students’ letters to norbert@scholastic.com. Norbert will write back!

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on gratitude:

  • I Am Thankful!, November/December 2020. This issue explores ways that students can show gratitude.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 530L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 410L